Mission

Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

In the Way of Jesus

Since 1794 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been preparing students in the way of Jesus. We welcome neighbors; share meals, differences, and experiences; expand our minds; and expect to be challenged by the broad range of beliefs we bring to the table.

Academic Rigor

The established academic rigor of more than 200 years of theological education, and the depth and diversity of our faculty, ensure our student community learns, grows, and flourishes on a path to practical ministry. Our students prepare to engage in God's work with parishes, nonprofits, and institutions specific to their call.

Service to the Church and Community

From our extensive theological library, archaeological museum, and printed and digital publications, to welcoming participation in our robust continuing education program, mission-related opportunities, and youth ministry institute, the Seminary models what it means to be a valuable resource for the church and the world.

Support Theological Education

When you give to Pittsburgh Seminary, you invest in men and women who, in and out of the classroom, are preparing to participate with Christ in the transformative work of gospel ministry around the globe—whether in traditional church settings, entrepreneurial church plants, or missional initiatives. Your giving supports student scholarships, faculty development, educational programs such as the World Mission Initiative, Church Planting Initiative, and Metro-Urban Institute, and much more.

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Meet PTS

MA Student Nate Pennybaker Prepares to Serve Church at Higher Level

“I always want to see growth, to get better at what I’m doing,” says Nate Pennybaker, senior pastor of Triedstone Baptist Church in Pittsburgh—and Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Although Nate, along with his wife, the Rev. Terri Lynn Pennybaker, has pastored the church for 15 years come March, he enrolled at Pittsburgh Seminary to serve his church at an even higher level.

“I realized that I could not take my church further without having more to give to the congregation,” he notes.

An alumnus of Geneva College, Nate determined that graduate studies at Pittsburgh Seminary would prepare him to do just that. Because of his years of experience, and since his Baptist denomination does not require him to earn a master of divinity for ordination or pastoral service, PTS’s two-year MAPS degree program fit Nate’s educational goals well.

But pastoring is just one aspect of Nate’s professional life. He’s also a now-retired city bus driver—a career that did not require Nate to exercise the academic writing skills he used in college. And “writing theologically is different from other kinds of writing,” he says. “You have to learn how to do it. The Seminary’s relatively new Writing Center has helped me greatly in developing my skills in this area.” A regular, weekly attender at the Center, Nate describes it as “a place that is focused on student progress,” and he says his improved course grades evidence the truth of that statement. “No matter where you are in your writing, you can always get better at it!”

Because Nate’s learning in and outside the classroom at PTS has so significantly benefited his pastoral ministry, Terri Lynn also decided to enroll in the MAPS program. The Pennybakers’ gaining of graduate theological education as a couple is expanding their effectiveness as a ministerial team at Triedstone and in the surrounding community.